SW The Killers, Mr Brightside Music Video Analysis

Genre and Narrative
The Killers are an indie/rock band and I think this genre does not have any obvious characteristics. However, there are a few subtle ones. In The Killers’ Mr Brightside music video the band are all shown playing their instruments throughout the video and this is one of the main characteristics of this genre. Another characteristic in the video is the use of a love story and specifically a love triangle which is shown visually throughout the video. The link between the lyrics and visuals are quite strong, as the lyrics explain what is going on in the video, however there is not a direct link between the exact actions made to the lyrics. Mr Brightside is an example of illustration as it links the visuals with the lyrics and tells the story through the visuals which relates to the song. The video could be considered as post-modern as it presents some challenging ideas of the uniqueness of the location. This unusual but beautiful location is defined by the deep red curtains that the characters are hiding behind and the vivid statues and interesting ceilings. The use of the doll-like girl as the main girl in the video also adds to the postmodern feel of the video. The video could also be considered as post-modern by the intertextual links to the ‘Moulin Rouge’ theme.

Media Language
Many visual techniques are used in the Mr Brightside music video. For example, long shots have been used throughout the video to show the band together and playing their instruments, this emphasises the skill of the band and shows them performing together. Establishing shots are also used to set the scene and this allows the audience to notice the intertextual linking to the Moulin Rouge theme. A camera movement that has been used is a panning shot from the band moving into a close-up of the lead singer. This allows the audience to establish who the band are and this promotes them. There is also a long shot of the lead singer standing at a balcony watching fireworks and the girl runs to him and they embrace each other. This shot allows the viewer see the setting as romantic and exciting to watch. Editing has been considered through the video and this is shown in the first 5 shots allow the audience to establish who is going to be the important characters in the video and shows the location of the music video. The first clip is of the band, the second clip is of the Moulin Rouge style room, the third shot is of the girl in the love triangle, the fourth shot is of the guy in the love triangle and the fifth shot is of the band but predominantly the lead singer. Deciding the mise-en-scene for a music video is an important part of the production of the video. The use props, helps identify the genre of the video, with the unique use rustic, roman statues and a red furnishing highlights the indie/rock genre. This use of props also has connotations of the Moulin Rouge theme which adds to the post-modernism. The use of characters in the video also adds to how the genre is represented. This is shown through the use of the girl, the girl is unusual looking and she has connotations of fantasy because of the white hair and very pale skin, making her appear pure and unreal. This idea is unique and artist, therefore adding to the post-modern feel of the video. There is one point in the video where special effects have been used to emphasise the fantasy of the video. A layering has been used where the underneath layer is the two guys in the love triangle are competing against each other in a chess games and the layering on top is the girl looking very mystical and dreamy with smoke surrounding her. This emphasises the idealised character of the girl with adds to the representation of the genre.

Representation
The Killers are being represented as a clean cut and classy band. This adds to the meta-narrative already known by the fans as they are shown in the video to be wearing suits and fashionable clothing which adds to the meta-narrative of the classy image. Because, the band are all playing their instruments in the video it portrays the band as extremely talented and this gives them a high representation. Brandon Flowers, the lead singer of the band, comes across as being quite rebellious because of the secret affair going on between the girl and him. This adds to the meta-narrative that we haven’t yet seen in the media and challenges the ideological representations of The Killers. The ideological discourse in the video shows how women are represented as being at the men’s beck and call. The women are being presented as an object for male pleasure and consumption. The vitalization of subordination is also shown with a kiss in the music video between the main girl and the other guy in the music video. The woman is shown as leaning back and submitting to the male advance and this representation conveys the idea that sex is about male aggression and female submission. This reinforces the stereotypes of how women are portrayed in the media

Institution and Audience
The video would mainly be shown on rock channels on the television such as: MTVtwo, VH1 and MTV. I think that the video would be consumed by mainly focused viewing. This is because I think that the people interested in the indie/rock genre, would be interested in hearing and watching new music on the music channel and I think that they would watch specific channels where new music is being played to listen to this track. I also think that the music could be consumed communally or on your own, as I think that it is easy listening for something in the background of people chatting or at a party.